TREE INFORMATION
 

Under the Occupiers Liability Act 1974, the Highways Acts and common law, there is a duty of care on Local Planning Authorities (LPA’s) to ensure that trees situated on their land, are assessed for risk in order to avoid damage or injury to third parties. This includes trees away from the public domain that might injure or damage visitors / trespassers on the land.

TREE SURVEYS

 This service covers  a range of tree inspections that can be tailored to particular requirements, covering singular trees through to groups,  woodlands  though to facility managers.

Assessment of health or structural integrity can be achieved in various ways, from visual tree assessment (VTA) that explores the body language of the tree, through to various non-invasive scanning technologies, which can explore internal conditions, tree stability and vigour condition. Invasive techniques (resistance testing) can be used to confirm the extent of internal faults or identify wood strength when quantitative evidence is required.

A tree with structurally identified faults can be further investigated  and a risk assessment and / or remedial works specified.

We have tree stability / wind load dynamics training and can diagnose safety limits to aid management decisions.

Early identification of pest or disease or other factors biotic or abiotic, can be significant to longer term tree health, and is therefore essential to ensure that trees are as safe as is reasonably practicable.

Inspections are generally made from ground level, though climbing inspections are offered where necessary to allow more detailed inspection of faults, to allow remedial action to be taken.

Individual Tree Surveys - Provide detailed information upon a trees condition, risk that a tree may offer likely implications of a particular defect or extent of decay along with tree stability, preferred management or the trees likely response to site changes.

Such surveys aim to provide management options to suite an individual client needs.

Group Survey and Inventories

These can range from a basic survey which may only include ' What it is, where it is, what risk does it pose and does it require any work' , often a 'stock taking' exercise to allow future budgets to be made utilizing  Quantified Tree Risk Assessment (QTRA). Ian Barnes is a  licensed users of this relatively new system, enabling more cost affective 'quantifiable stock taking of risk' ideal for facility managers where 'control of risk which is quantified' is required.

To more advanced assessments which  may involve digital mapping GIS or other to allow accurate mapping of the tree populations in addition to more detailed tree information to allow improved management decisions.

Tree stability assessments

Digital sensors installed within trees to measure the displacement of the tree under wind load. Sensors can remain in place over a specified period or a simulated load can induce gale force conditions and allow an assessment of a trees ability to withstand such load.

This approach is virtually non-injurious to the trees system as it measures movement.

We have facts sheets and we can also provide sample extracts of reports on the above types of surveys, though due to varying clients needs and budgets surveys are often tailored made. (Note our reports are protected under copyright!)

 Tree Inventories

An inventory is an essential tool for local authorities, primarily to locate and identify their tree stock, but also to allow the assessment and management of risk and for the budgeting of planned maintenance.

An inventory can provide sufficient information for the prioritization of management tasks, and budget control  but also form the base of information for the calculation of fiscal value.

 Inventories can be presented in various formats to suit organizational requirements. The use of pocket PC's and tablet computers allows rapid data collection, enabling our experienced surveyors to provide information cost effectively.

 Strategies

Following an invento it is possible to formulate a strategy for the management and re-provision of tree stock within an area.

Using statistical information, the strategy can be instrumental in reducing potential problems, restoring historical features, improving existing features and assisting in the budgeting of future works.  Similarly, statistics can identify stock weaknesses such as over reliance upon ageing trees or a limited species mixture.

This will not only help justify spending, but potentially reduce the operational burden of complaint calls, emergency works etc. Through the implementation of an effective management plan that prioritizes the areas of need, tree management can be proactive as opposed to reactive.

Tree Surveys for development sites

The planning authority will most likely ask for a 'Tree Survey' within the new British Standard new terminology have been incorporated including though not limited to:-

Preliminary Tree surveys ,  Tree Constaints plans (TCP), Arboricultural Implication Assessments (AIA), Arboricultural Method Statements (AMS), Tree Protection Plan (TPP) and more.......

We are very well experienced in the level of report and detail that may be required, we are here to save you and your design team time and money. If we are brought in at purchase or pre-purchase negotiations we can provide the best service, ensuring the best 'tree friendly' and 'defendable' design is submitted.

The management of trees on development sites was recently revised with the publication of British Standard BS5837:2005 ‘Trees in Relation to Construction’, released in September 2005. To help developers and local authorities alike we help you  meet these changes and we can provide various documents to support planning applications.  

Refer to our section 'development'.

Pre Installation Inspection - Preventing damage

An arboricultural survey of planned service routes can identify potential problem areas ‘hot spots’ where tree damage my be excessive or future line maintenance problems could occur. Such surveys can deter potential objections from planning authorities and public alike and can be tailored to both above and below ground services to identify potential conflict and avoid problems / damage like this.

Through an effective survey, routes that are more appropriate may be identified or differing techniques suggested that may minimize damage. A pre-installation survey is instrumental in reducing public pressure and potential problems whilst possibly retaining trees or minimizing pruning / felling requirements.  

From this type of survey, it is possible to draw up individual specifications for tree works to allow directional pruning etc, which would simplify installation and prevent future problems.

Post Damage Reports

In the event that things have gone wrong, we can prepare an assessment of damage including likely impact upon tree health / safety and risk, remedial action required and post damage monitoring requirements. Damage valuation and claims can be dealt with.

Copyright © 2006 Barnes & Associates